News

East Lancashire top nurse goes back to the floor

A TEAM of senior nurses went ‘back to the floor’ at East Lancashire Hospitals NHS Trust yesterday, to check in with frontline staff and explain some of the improvements they have got planned. Health reporter Lawrence Dunhill caught up with chief nurse Chris Pearson on the cardiology ward at the Royal Blackburn Hospital.

ONE of the problems with East Lancashire’s hospitals in recent years has been the chasm-sized divide between board members and frontline staff, but significant efforts are now being made to breach this gap.

Chief nurse Chris Pearson made this one of her first priorities after swapping her top job at the high-performing Salford Royal Hospital in January, introducing monthly ‘Back to the Floor Fridays’ for about 40 senior matrons, including herself.

This month she was visiting the cardiology ward with deputy chief nurse Jane Pemberton, to check that nurses were keeping up with various patient assessment checks, relating to nutrition and the risk of devloping bed sores or suffering a fall while in hospital.

But they were also talking to staff about plans to use more technology, such as tablet computers, to carry out many of these checks electronically.

Chris said that was the main difference she noticed when moving to East Lancashire, where many of the assessments are paper-based, whereas Salford is far more advanced in its use of technology.

She said: “Even the medicine administration and prescribing is electronic (at Salford), so it’s something we’re looking at, as it could provide us with more accurate data and release more time for nurses to provide care at the bedside.

“We’ve had a meeting this week about making three of the check sheets electronic, so now we need to engage with staff about it, and ask if it would help them.”

Carrying out all the paper-based risk assessments, which determine which patients need extra attention and flag up potential problems, currently takes about an hour, but Chris and Jane believe the technology could potentially cut this down to about 30 minutes.

Jane said: “Some hospitals can already do a blood pressure check, for example, and the reading will be entered straight into a tablet computer and automatically fill in the charts.

“The computers can save time, but we’ll absolutely still have to use our instinct with patients, they’ll never be able to replace our visual assessments and judgements about how someone is doing.”

The pair are also looking to move nursing bays into the wards from the corridors, which will bring nurses closer to patients. This is another feature of the wards at Salford, but has also been introduced on the new dementia ward (C5) at the Royal Blackburn.

One nurse on the ward, Samantha Boast, said she and her colleagues had already seen the benefits of using a tablet computer for logging blood test results, adding: “It can take a bit of getting used to, but I think it can definitely save time. I think it’s a good thing that we’re looking to bring in more technology to help us.”

Chris’s arrival in January, along with that of interim chief executive Jim Birrell, coincided with the start of rapid improvements being made at East Lancashire Hospitals NHS Trust, which culminated in the Care Quality Commission feeling confident enough to lift the organisation out of special measures last month.

Although Chris recognised there were serious problems seven months ago, such as low staffing levels, she was impressed by the will of nurses to turn things around.

She added: “The thing that really struck me is that the nurses here are really really motivated and keen to improve the hospitals.

“Even with everything that went on in the last year, with the Keogh investigation and special measures, the determination of the nurses has been amazing.

“I think it’s because a large percentage of staff live in the area, so it’s their local hospital and they care about it.

“But it’s really heartening to come to work when everyone has that attitude, and the CQC recognised it by scoring us as ‘good’ for caring.

“I would certainly be happy to be a patient here and for any of my family to be treated here.”

phil kernot wrote:
Please can somebody explain to me why nurses and thearter staff are allowed to go home in there greens , , ,,,

And return in them to work ...

[quote][p][bold]phil kernot[/bold] wrote:
Please can somebody explain to me why nurses and thearter staff are allowed to go home in there greens , , ,,,[/p][/quote]And return in them to work ...phil kernot

Phil,
According to,
lessons learned,
procedures in place
training sessions given,
and implemented practices,
you are talking, gonads..
BUT
Am prepared you to give the huge part of, benefit of the doubt..
Only because I know you..
...
email images to..
woolywords@yahoo.ca
...
Keep that email addy to yourself..
as I don't anyone to know it.
And, it keeps you safe, from naming me..
Woolyhat.

Phil,
According to,
lessons learned,
procedures in place
training sessions given,
and implemented practices,
you are talking, gonads..
BUT
Am prepared you to give the huge part of, benefit of the doubt..
Only because I know you..
...
email images to..
woolywords@yahoo.ca
...
Keep that email addy to yourself..
as I don't anyone to know it.
And, it keeps you safe, from naming me..
Woolyhat.woolywords

So, how we doing on the MRSA counts?
Or even the E. Coli?
Clostridium Welchii, formerly known as, C. perfringens, doing well?
...
How about Clostridium difficile infections?
That flesh eating bug..
You on top of that?
...
Have not a clue what I'm writing here, as I'm listening to my daughter, a former Doctor in this town..
dictate what I should write..
...
Daddy,
I've huge concerns for your welfare in that town..
you know I went to you-SAM-rid and you still live there..
and that Grumpy got TB,
which he blamed on you..
Yet you tough it out, like some Daniel in the den..
Come to us, Daddy..

So, how we doing on the MRSA counts?
Or even the E. Coli?
Clostridium Welchii, formerly known as, C. perfringens, doing well?
...
How about Clostridium difficile infections?
That flesh eating bug..
You on top of that?
...
Have not a clue what I'm writing here, as I'm listening to my daughter, a former Doctor in this town..
dictate what I should write..
...
Daddy,
I've huge concerns for your welfare in that town..
you know I went to you-SAM-rid and you still live there..
and that Grumpy got TB,
which he blamed on you..
Yet you tough it out, like some Daniel in the den..
Come to us, Daddy..woolywords

I suggest Nurse Pearson undertakes some research about this trust before claiming to be happy to be a patient. With all the will and determination in the world there is not a chance this trust will make foundation status. I'm only baffled as to why the care quality commission 5 weeks ago ever removed the hospital trust from special measures.
and here's why...
.
Blackburn widower to sue hospital for ‘negligence’ after wife’s death Lancashire Telegraph:3:00pm Wednesday 30 July 2014
.
£50k compensation after baby’s death at Royal Blackburn Hospital Lancashire Telegraph: 11:00am Tuesday 15 July 2014
.
Patient died after procedure slip-up at Royal Blackburn Hospital Lancashire Telegraph: The Royal Blackburn Hospital
Tuesday 8 July 2014
.
Blackburn hospital bosses apologise after ex-soldier left in pain Lancashire Telegraph: 2:00pm Thursday 24 July 2014
.
Hospital bosses sorry after swab left inside second East Lancs patient Lancashire Telegraph: The Royal Blackburn Hospital
4:00pm Monday 7 July 2014
.
Nurse cautioned for threatening to 'floor' patient at Blackburn A&E Lancashire Telegraph: The Royal Blackburn Hospital
5:00pm Saturday 19 July 2014
.
HORRENDOUS BATTLE: NHS Trust ‘accept liability’ after the death of Burnley gran Lancashire Telegraph: 3:00pm Tuesday 15 July 2014
.
Brain swelling missed after computer glitch at Royal Blackburn Hospital Tuesday 27 May 2014
.
Family left shocked after man dies following Royal Blackburn Hospital drip error : Patient dies after a blunder at the Royal Blackburn Hospital 6:00pm Thursday 19 June 2014
.
Family says father ‘immobile and scarcely speaks’ after ‘unacceptable’ treatment at Blackburn Hospital Lancashire Telegraph: 10:00am Tuesday 3 June 2014
.
Blackburn father left in agony after eleven day wait to fix broken arm Lancashire Telegraph: Kabier Hussain was told by staff at the Royal Blackburn Hospital they could not carry out the surgery he needed because equipment was not available. 5:00pm Tuesday 10 June 2014
.
Ex nurse tells of 'degrading' stay in Blackburn hospital Lancashire Telegraph: The Royal Blackburn Hospital. 5:00pm Saturday 17 May 2014
A RETIRED nurse has hit out at East Lancashire Hospitals Trust after a stay in Royal Blackburn left her in a wheelchair.

I suggest Nurse Pearson undertakes some research about this trust before claiming to be happy to be a patient. With all the will and determination in the world there is not a chance this trust will make foundation status. I'm only baffled as to why the care quality commission 5 weeks ago ever removed the hospital trust from special measures.
and here's why...
.
Blackburn widower to sue hospital for ‘negligence’ after wife’s death Lancashire Telegraph:3:00pm Wednesday 30 July 2014
.
£50k compensation after baby’s death at Royal Blackburn Hospital Lancashire Telegraph: 11:00am Tuesday 15 July 2014
.
Patient died after procedure slip-up at Royal Blackburn Hospital Lancashire Telegraph: The Royal Blackburn Hospital
Tuesday 8 July 2014
.
Blackburn hospital bosses apologise after ex-soldier left in pain Lancashire Telegraph: 2:00pm Thursday 24 July 2014
.
Hospital bosses sorry after swab left inside second East Lancs patient Lancashire Telegraph: The Royal Blackburn Hospital
4:00pm Monday 7 July 2014
.
Nurse cautioned for threatening to 'floor' patient at Blackburn A&E Lancashire Telegraph: The Royal Blackburn Hospital
5:00pm Saturday 19 July 2014
.
HORRENDOUS BATTLE: NHS Trust ‘accept liability’ after the death of Burnley gran Lancashire Telegraph: 3:00pm Tuesday 15 July 2014
.
Brain swelling missed after computer glitch at Royal Blackburn Hospital Tuesday 27 May 2014
.
Family left shocked after man dies following Royal Blackburn Hospital drip error : Patient dies after a blunder at the Royal Blackburn Hospital 6:00pm Thursday 19 June 2014
.
Family says father ‘immobile and scarcely speaks’ after ‘unacceptable’ treatment at Blackburn Hospital Lancashire Telegraph: 10:00am Tuesday 3 June 2014
.
Blackburn father left in agony after eleven day wait to fix broken arm Lancashire Telegraph: Kabier Hussain was told by staff at the Royal Blackburn Hospital they could not carry out the surgery he needed because equipment was not available. 5:00pm Tuesday 10 June 2014
.
Ex nurse tells of 'degrading' stay in Blackburn hospital Lancashire Telegraph: The Royal Blackburn Hospital. 5:00pm Saturday 17 May 2014
A RETIRED nurse has hit out at East Lancashire Hospitals Trust after a stay in Royal Blackburn left her in a wheelchair.Pendlesider

woolywords wrote:
So, how we doing on the MRSA counts?
Or even the E. Coli?
Clostridium Welchii, formerly known as, C. perfringens, doing well?
...
How about Clostridium difficile infections?
That flesh eating bug..
You on top of that?
...
Have not a clue what I'm writing here, as I'm listening to my daughter, a former Doctor in this town..
dictate what I should write..
...
Daddy,
I've huge concerns for your welfare in that town..
you know I went to you-SAM-rid and you still live there..
and that Grumpy got TB,
which he blamed on you..
Yet you tough it out, like some Daniel in the den..
Come to us, Daddy..

Did you go to school?

[quote][p][bold]woolywords[/bold] wrote:
So, how we doing on the MRSA counts?
Or even the E. Coli?
Clostridium Welchii, formerly known as, C. perfringens, doing well?
...
How about Clostridium difficile infections?
That flesh eating bug..
You on top of that?
...
Have not a clue what I'm writing here, as I'm listening to my daughter, a former Doctor in this town..
dictate what I should write..
...
Daddy,
I've huge concerns for your welfare in that town..
you know I went to you-SAM-rid and you still live there..
and that Grumpy got TB,
which he blamed on you..
Yet you tough it out, like some Daniel in the den..
Come to us, Daddy..[/p][/quote]Did you go to school?Rich Riley

Pendlesider wrote:
I suggest Nurse Pearson undertakes some research about this trust before claiming to be happy to be a patient. With all the will and determination in the world there is not a chance this trust will make foundation status. I'm only baffled as to why the care quality commission 5 weeks ago ever removed the hospital trust from special measures.
and here's why...
.
Blackburn widower to sue hospital for ‘negligence’ after wife’s death Lancashire Telegraph:3:00pm Wednesday 30 July 2014
.
£50k compensation after baby’s death at Royal Blackburn Hospital Lancashire Telegraph: 11:00am Tuesday 15 July 2014
.
Patient died after procedure slip-up at Royal Blackburn Hospital Lancashire Telegraph: The Royal Blackburn Hospital
Tuesday 8 July 2014
.
Blackburn hospital bosses apologise after ex-soldier left in pain Lancashire Telegraph: 2:00pm Thursday 24 July 2014
.
Hospital bosses sorry after swab left inside second East Lancs patient Lancashire Telegraph: The Royal Blackburn Hospital
4:00pm Monday 7 July 2014
.
Nurse cautioned for threatening to 'floor' patient at Blackburn A&amp;E Lancashire Telegraph: The Royal Blackburn Hospital
5:00pm Saturday 19 July 2014
.
HORRENDOUS BATTLE: NHS Trust ‘accept liability’ after the death of Burnley gran Lancashire Telegraph: 3:00pm Tuesday 15 July 2014
.
Brain swelling missed after computer glitch at Royal Blackburn Hospital Tuesday 27 May 2014
.
Family left shocked after man dies following Royal Blackburn Hospital drip error : Patient dies after a blunder at the Royal Blackburn Hospital 6:00pm Thursday 19 June 2014
.
Family says father ‘immobile and scarcely speaks’ after ‘unacceptable’ treatment at Blackburn Hospital Lancashire Telegraph: 10:00am Tuesday 3 June 2014
.
Blackburn father left in agony after eleven day wait to fix broken arm Lancashire Telegraph: Kabier Hussain was told by staff at the Royal Blackburn Hospital they could not carry out the surgery he needed because equipment was not available. 5:00pm Tuesday 10 June 2014
.
Ex nurse tells of 'degrading' stay in Blackburn hospital Lancashire Telegraph: The Royal Blackburn Hospital. 5:00pm Saturday 17 May 2014
A RETIRED nurse has hit out at East Lancashire Hospitals Trust after a stay in Royal Blackburn left her in a wheelchair.

Good post.

[quote][p][bold]Pendlesider[/bold] wrote:
I suggest Nurse Pearson undertakes some research about this trust before claiming to be happy to be a patient. With all the will and determination in the world there is not a chance this trust will make foundation status. I'm only baffled as to why the care quality commission 5 weeks ago ever removed the hospital trust from special measures.
and here's why...
.
Blackburn widower to sue hospital for ‘negligence’ after wife’s death Lancashire Telegraph:3:00pm Wednesday 30 July 2014
.
£50k compensation after baby’s death at Royal Blackburn Hospital Lancashire Telegraph: 11:00am Tuesday 15 July 2014
.
Patient died after procedure slip-up at Royal Blackburn Hospital Lancashire Telegraph: The Royal Blackburn Hospital
Tuesday 8 July 2014
.
Blackburn hospital bosses apologise after ex-soldier left in pain Lancashire Telegraph: 2:00pm Thursday 24 July 2014
.
Hospital bosses sorry after swab left inside second East Lancs patient Lancashire Telegraph: The Royal Blackburn Hospital
4:00pm Monday 7 July 2014
.
Nurse cautioned for threatening to 'floor' patient at Blackburn A&E Lancashire Telegraph: The Royal Blackburn Hospital
5:00pm Saturday 19 July 2014
.
HORRENDOUS BATTLE: NHS Trust ‘accept liability’ after the death of Burnley gran Lancashire Telegraph: 3:00pm Tuesday 15 July 2014
.
Brain swelling missed after computer glitch at Royal Blackburn Hospital Tuesday 27 May 2014
.
Family left shocked after man dies following Royal Blackburn Hospital drip error : Patient dies after a blunder at the Royal Blackburn Hospital 6:00pm Thursday 19 June 2014
.
Family says father ‘immobile and scarcely speaks’ after ‘unacceptable’ treatment at Blackburn Hospital Lancashire Telegraph: 10:00am Tuesday 3 June 2014
.
Blackburn father left in agony after eleven day wait to fix broken arm Lancashire Telegraph: Kabier Hussain was told by staff at the Royal Blackburn Hospital they could not carry out the surgery he needed because equipment was not available. 5:00pm Tuesday 10 June 2014
.
Ex nurse tells of 'degrading' stay in Blackburn hospital Lancashire Telegraph: The Royal Blackburn Hospital. 5:00pm Saturday 17 May 2014
A RETIRED nurse has hit out at East Lancashire Hospitals Trust after a stay in Royal Blackburn left her in a wheelchair.[/p][/quote]Good post.Rich Riley

phil kernot wrote:
Please can somebody explain to me why nurses and thearter staff are allowed to go home in there greens , , ,,,

Not everyone who wears scrubs works in Theatres!!

[quote][p][bold]phil kernot[/bold] wrote:
Please can somebody explain to me why nurses and thearter staff are allowed to go home in there greens , , ,,,[/p][/quote]Not everyone who wears scrubs works in Theatres!!Mr Blunt